What's the difference between a port and a catheter?

The main difference is where each device sits in relation to your skin. A port is a small, round disc placed entirely under the skin during minor surgery, usually in the chest. Nothing is visible on the outside except a small bump, and a nurse inserts a needle through the skin into the port to give chemotherapy or draw blood. A catheter is also a thin, soft tube placed into a large vein, but the end of a catheter stays outside the body rather than being covered by skin.

Both devices are meant to avoid repeated needle sticks in the arm, which most IV chemotherapy would otherwise require. Some people may also use a pump attached to a port or catheter to control the flow and amount of chemotherapy given.

Your care team will recommend the option that best fits your treatment plan, how long you will be receiving chemotherapy, and your veins. If you are weighing the choice, ask your team to explain what daily life looks like with each option.